THE
AUGUSTÓW CANAL is a precious masterpiece of water construction,
unique on the European scale, dating from the first half of
the 19th century. Preserved
wholly, it is a testimony to engineering art of Polish constructors,
both military and civil. Historically, this waterway was to
link the Vistula with the Neman through the Narew, Biebrza,
Netta and Czarna Hańcza Rivers. Further, through the Windawa
River it was connected to the Baltic port Windawa. Because eventually
the Windawski Canal was not built, the Augustów Canal linked
with the Baltic Sea through the Neman River. For a long time
the Canal has had a well-earned reputation among experts, lovers
of water sports and Suwałki Region admirers. Already its first
"discoverers" described this water track as "an illustrious
masterpiece", leading "through the most exquisite and very picturesque
area (...) with numerous sluices tastefully built, which contribute
to its beauty". Indeed, that the Canal is exceptionally beautiful
and offers sightseeing and tourist attractions is thanks to
its unrivalled beauty. First, it is the landscape and natural
value of the Biebrza River valley where it meets the Netta River.
Second, these are the views of coniferous forests and lakes
of Augustów Primeval Forest, which the Canal cuts from the west
to east.
The Canal's combined length from Dębowo Sluice on the Biebrza
to Niemnowo Sluice in Belarus is 101,2 km, out of which 20 km
are on the Belorussian side. The idea to build the Canal was
based on the intention to make trade of the Kingdom of Poland,
via the port in Gdańsk, independent of the Prussian mediation.
An advantageous end of the "customs war" with Prussia was the
reason, why building of the "windawski" section of the waterway
was relinquished. Consequently, the Augustów Canal, which had
already been completed, remained a country waterway of local
significance used for commercial shipping and to transport wood
to the Vistula and Neman. Between the World Wars the Canal became
an important tourist attraction, as it was a picturesque route
providing excellent sport for canoeists, sailors and for boating.
Such was also the function of its Polish section after the last
war. The plans to commence tourist movement on the Belorussian
part of the Canal should be soon realized.

The
quickest way to visit the Augustów Canal is by car. Asphalt and
gravel roads run close to its banks. It is easy to reach the old
and most beautiful sluices like Przewięˇ, Paniewo, Perkuć, Sosnówek,
Tartak and Kudrynki. A marked green trail awaits hikers and cyclists.
It runs along the Canal's bank from Augustów to Mikaszówka - a distance
of 39,4 km. Certainly the biggest attraction is crossing this water
route in a kayak, canoe, fishing boat or a motorboat. Sluicing gives
a lot of emotions (it is payable but the prices are low). It is
a good idea to visit part of the Canal and Augustów lakes in a passenger
ship of Augustów Navigation.

1.
Augustów
- the Bystry Canal -Lake Sajno - the Netta River to its junction
with the Biebrza, from where back to the sluice Dębowo along the
Augustów Canal to Augustów.2. Augustów - Lakes Necko, Białe, Studzieniczne and next
along the Augustów Canal to the sluice Tartak (the return trip on
the same route). 3. Augustów - on the Augustów Canal route to the Sucha Rzeczka,
next along the Sucha Rzeczka to Lake Serwy, from where (after transporting
the equipment) across Lake Wigry and next along the Czarna Hańcza
to its junction with the Augustów Canal and back to Augustów.